PROGRESS REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A YOUTH CABINET AND YOUTH MAYOR FOR THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN (CLSO) –

The report outlined the progress to develop a Youth Cabinet and Youth Mayor and the involvement of young people, Vale Youth Forum members and Trustees in the developments to date.

Following the Youth Service Scrutiny Review of 2012 it had been agreed that a mechanism should be put in place which would give young people the opportunity to challenge and communicate with the Council and Cabinet on decisions that affected them. The report outlined a proposed model (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) which would base the development of the Youth Cabinet and Youth Mayor around the existing Vale Youth Forum. Officers had engaged with young people, designed a structure and model based on the young people’s view points and had moved the project on with young people engaged at almost every point.

The election and appointment of a Youth Mayor would be held in Local Democracy Week commencing 14th October 2013 and secondary schools, youth groups, community and special interest groups and independent young people had been made aware of the process and would be given election packs to assist them in early September. It was noted that young people had also suggested that the main communication method should be via Facebook.

Members welcomed the report but queried how the Authority would be able to contact hard to reach children. It was noted that most of the work would be undertaken through schools and colleges and by the use of social media.

In response to a query as to whether the Council could learn any lessons from other Councils who had adopted similar models, it was noted that this had already been researched and experiences gained had been considered when devising the Vale’s model.

The Chairman, with the support of the Committee, considered that it would be important for the Cabinet to consider whether the Youth Mayor should also become a non-voting member of the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) and aware that this would require Full Council approval, it was subsequently

RECOMMENDED –

(1) T H A T the Cabinet be requested to consider the suggestion of the appointment of a Youth Mayor as a non-voting member of the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) and refer to Council as appropriate.

(2) T H A T the contents of the report be noted and the progress and developments of a constituted Youth Cabinet and the development of an election process for a Youth Mayor position be welcomed.

Reasons for recommendations

(1) To encourage the voice of young people on the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) and to seek Council approval.